Solid modeler that provides spatial gradients of 3D CAD models of solid objects

This disclosure provides a method for providing spatial gradients of 3D CAD models of solid objects with respect to various parameters used in defining the solid object. A modeler is designed and implemented to provide spatial gradients of solid objects (when represented on a computer as 3D CAD models) with respect to the various parameters that define the objects. Although primarily based on finite difference operations, several additional steps are performed to ensure that the gradients computed are correct and valid for a general class of solid objects and the parameters that define the objects. No commercially available 3D CAD tool provides such ability for a general class of solid objects.